Tennis: Novak Djokovic Prepared To Miss Grand Slams
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic is prepared to miss the French Open and Wimbledon tournaments rather than have a COVID-19 vaccination but is not an anti-vaxxer, the world number one said in his first interview since his failed attempt to play at the Australian Open.
After two visa cancellations, two court challenges and five nights in two stints at an immigration detention hotel, the unvaccinated Djokovic was deported before the Australian Open began. The situation deprived the 34-year-old the chance to win a record-extending 10th Australian Open and a men’s record 21st Grand Slam title.
However, rival Rafael Nadal won the title and moved to 21 Grand Slam titles. With Djokovic unwilling to have a mandatory vaccine, the Serb is jeopardising his dream of ending his career with the most Grand Slam titles.
“I understand the consequences of my decision,” Djokovic said in an interview, adding that he had been prepared not to travel to Australia due to his unvaccinated status.
“I understand that not being vaccinated today, I am unable to travel to most of the tournaments at the moment. Yes, that is the price that I’m willing to pay. Because the principles of decision making on my body are more important than any title or anything else,” Djokovic added.
Encouragingly for Djokovic’s hopes of trying to defend his French Open and Wimbledon titles, travel rules in France and Britain have been eased for unvaccinated travellers and they no longer need to undergo quarantine. His prospects of playing in the US Open, look bleak as vaccination certificates remain compulsory.
- Read more: Australian Federal Court Upholds Cancellation Of Djokovic’s Visa
- Read more: Tennis: Djokovic flies out of Australia after losing court appeal
Defending his right to shun vaccines, Djokovic, who follows a strict diet, said: “I just don’t have enough clarity of how the COVID vaccine will affect me and whether it’s going to create a certain effect on my game and I wouldn’t have the benefits that I would normally have.”
However, he said he respected the global vaccine programme and did not entirely rule out having a jab in the future.
“I understand that globally, everyone is trying to put a big effort into handling this virus and seeing, hopefully, an end soon to this virus,” Djokovic added.
“As of today this is kind of my decision and my stance and I know I will suffer the consequences. I keep my mind open and you know, we’ll see what happens.”
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
